Scuba Diving in Central Florida: Discover Scuba for Beginners

Breathe underwater for the first time in a spring that once healed the Mayaca Indians.

Discover Scuba Diving is a 2-hour beginner scuba experience at De Leon Springs in Central Florida with no certification required. You receive all equipment, basic instruction from a licensed guide and a guided dive in the spring. Children from age 10 are welcome. The activity includes everything (no hidden fees or rental charges), and leaves time to walk the subtropical trails and visit the on-site restaurant before or after.

The experience

What does it feel like to breathe underwater without months of training? De Leon Springs lets you find out in a single morning. You show up, get fitted with all the scuba gear, receive basic instruction from a PADI-certified guide, and then descend into clear spring water to see what lies below. The whole thing takes about 2 hours, and you need no prior diving experience: only to be at least 10 years old and in reasonable physical health. The spring itself has history: it once powered a sugar cane mill, then a grist mill during the Civil War, and the Mayaca Indians called it Acuera, or "Healing Waters."

All equipment is provided and included in the price (wetsuit, tank, regulator, mask, fins, weight belt), so you arrive with nothing but a swimsuit and curiosity. The guide stays with you the entire dive, showing you how to equalize pressure in your ears, how to breathe from the regulator, and what to look for in the water. Because this is an introduction, not a certification course, the dive is short and shallow, designed to let you get comfortable with the basics without overwhelming you. Many people use this experience to decide whether they want to pursue full certification later.

De Leon Springs sits on a state park property with restrooms, a restaurant, and walking trails through subtropical forest, including a massive old-growth bald cypress tree. Bring what you'd normally pack for a day at the beach or park. A guide speaks English or Spanish, so you can book in whichever language suits you best. Park entrance is separate from the diving fee.

What’s included

• All scuba equipment including tank, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins and weight belt.
• basic instruction from a PADI-certified guide.
• a guided dive in the spring.
• guide available in English or Spanish.
• access to park facilities including restrooms, restaurant and walking trails.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to ThursdayDeparts at 11:00

AgesAdult (18 to 55 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 4

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “We will meet by the entrance (near the park ranger booth) once you get in the park - Please contact me via phone or text. Please arrive early to ensure entrance to the park.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 6

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Down To Scuba

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you can book in whichever language you're comfortable with. This experience suits anyone curious about scuba but not yet ready for a certification course, and it works for families with children from age 10 onward.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years). Under 10: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Do I need to know how to swim or have any diving experience to try scuba at De Leon Springs?

No prior diving experience is necessary. You must be at least 10 years old and in reasonable physical health, but the guide teaches you everything during the 2-hour session. Beginners and first-time divers are the whole point of this experience.

What's included in the price, and are there any hidden fees?

All scuba gear is included: tank, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, weight belt and everything else you need. There are no hidden fees or rental charges. Park entrance is a separate fee (currently $6 per carload).

How deep do you go on a Discover Scuba dive?

The dive is kept shallow and short so you can focus on learning to breathe underwater and getting comfortable with the equipment. The guide controls the depth and pace based on how you're feeling.

What should I bring, and what's there to do before or after the dive?

Bring a swimsuit and whatever you'd pack for a beach day: sunscreen, a change of clothes, a towel. De Leon Springs has restrooms and a restaurant on site, plus walking trails through the subtropical forest if you want to explore before or after your dive.